In today’s world, millions of children are the subjects of judicial proceedings each year. They are involved in the court system as victims of abuse and neglect; as juvenile offenders; as subjects of custody, visitation and adoption proceedings; and as participants in civil damages litigation. Our goal is to improve the lives of children and families by ensuring that these proceedings produce justice.

The adversarial system works best when all interested parties are competently represented. The National Association of Counsel for Children strives to make certain the attorneys representing children and families are well trained and effective. We dedicate ourselves to providing child law advocates with the tools necessary to empower their clients through effective representation.

We also believe that child welfare is best achieved in the legal system by advocates who engage in both case law and policy advocacy. Child welfare advocates must not only represent their clients well each day, but also work to improve the child welfare, juvenile justice, and private custody systems. To that end, we offer a variety of tools and services to empower both experienced attorneys and first-time lay advocates.

Karen is a children's law attorney, policy analyst, writer and professor specializing in child abuse and neglect and juvenile justice. Through her consulting business, she helps nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and foundations use research to better serve children and families through policy development, legislative advocacy, research and analysis, and strategic partnerships. Karen has been an NACC member since 1997 and in 2013 became an NACC certified Child Welfare Legal Specialist.

NACC Training

The NACC offers a number of training programs designed to give attorneys and caseworkers tools needed to navigate a complex child welfare system. Our courses are designed by leading experts in child welfare and juvenile justice, and our experienced trainers employ a variety of teaching methods. We will work with you to custom design a training program that meets your needs, in your jurisdiction.

NACC Policy

We maintain a number useful resources to help child welfare advocates advance and protect the rights of children. These include our NACC Policy Agenda, NACC Policy Advocacy Guide, and a selection of Standards of Practice documents from the NACC and ABA. You can also request NACC participation as amicus curiae (friend of the court) or request our assistance with important advocacy efforts.

NACC Certification

The NACC Certification Program is the only program approved by the American Bar Association to certify attorneys as Child Welfare Law Specialists. NACC Certification is available to attorneys serving in the role of Child’s Attorney, Parent’s Attorney, or Agency Attorney. To date, there are over 550 NACC Certified Child Welfare Law Specialists located in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

NACC Membership

In addition to helping us improve the quality of legal representation for children, NACC members gain access to a number of tools and services. Members receive member discounts, a subscription to our monthly law journal, access to the NACC Listserv, and the ability to submit a resource request. Members also gain exclusive access to members-only areas of our Career Center and Membership Directory.

NACC Resources

We provide a number of resources to our members and the general public. Everyone can make use of the NACC Blog, Career Center, Attorney Referral Service, and Children’s Legal Rights Journal. In addition, NACC members gain exclusive access to our monthly law journal, email listserv, Resource Request Service, and our Children’s Law Manuals. You’ll also find info on NACC’s Child Welfare Law and Practice.

NACC Conference

Each year, the National Association of Counsel for Children invites top leaders in child welfare, juvenile justice, and family law to gather together for our National Child Welfare, Juvenile, and Family Law Conference. Over the course of several days, leading experts will expand your understanding of child law and provide you with practical tools to help protect the rights of children and families.